Addiction

I am a Licensed Addictions Counselor practicing Harm Reduction, a compassionate and effective therapeutic approach for modifying any type of problematic behavior. You will determine the changes to be made; my role will be to respect your autonomy, learn how a substance or behavior is or is not serving you effectively, and prioritize risk reduction and personal safety.

I have over 11 years of experience in supporting those struggling with addiction. I've worked in residential programs, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment settings. Through my own struggles with addiction in the past I integrate my personal journey with evidenced based practices to support people with changes to their own substance use patterns.

I believe that addiction is how we cope, when working with folks struggling with addiction we will find the root causes, alleviate the shame you experience by building self-compassion and self-esteem, and work to find better coping skills. As someone who has personally struggled with addiction, I have endless compassion for the struggle and know that you deserve so much better.

I worked as an addiction counselor for 2 years. I believe in a biopsychosocial-spiritual model of care and utilize Motivational Interviewing to aid clients in their recovery. Additionally, I utilize the Seeking Safety model to aid in psychoeducation.

You may have been to treatment or achieved sobriety on your own. But you’re realizing that getting sober isn’t the same as staying sober…and that’s what you really hope to do. You’re likely already aware of some of the stressors or triggers that can arise, and you know how important it is to be prepared to navigate those before you encounter them. Counseling is a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space to help you achieve your goal of long-term sobriety.

As an individual in long-term recovery, I intimately understand the challenges of getting and staying sober from alcohol and other substances. Loss of friends and your social circle, persistent feelings of isolation, and finding new means of coping with difficult situations/emotions/stress are just a few of the issues I tackle with clients in recovery. I am uniquely equipped to help both newly sober individuals as well as those in long-term recovery.

When it comes to working with different types of addictions some starting question are: 1. What is the person trying to escape? 2. Where is the emotional pain coming from? 3. What purpose does the addiction serve? 4. What was life like before the addiction? I help people emotionally navigate through these questions and arrive to their own inner-clarity and truth about themselves and the relationship they have with their substance/behavior addictions.

I have a Master of Arts Degree in Addiction Studies: Advanced Practice and recently left Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation after seven years for private practice. I am well versed in the treatment of substance misuse on multiple levels of care and in varying stages of change. I am a believer in meeting each client where they are at, as they are the expert on themselves, and helping them show up in their lives the way they want to.

My background is in working in residential and outpatient treatment settings that help individuals and families recover from various addictions and associated difficulties, such as trauma, grief, codependency, and relationship problems. Seeing my clients recover and live their lives in a way that aligns with their own personal values is the greatest privilege of my career. If you are sober-curious or simply want to better understand or moderate your alcohol use- we can do that work together!

I have a background in treating folks who would like to address problematic use of substances, pursue sobriety or are already in recovery. I also currently work in a rehab facility in addition to my private practice.

"The mind is a beautiful master, but a lousy servant." Ultimately the human mind (which we all have and experience) is the root cause of our attachments or addictions in life. How to learn for to peaceful detach to that addiction or attachment is the big question, but everyone has that answer inside them if they are willing to look. Through mindfulness, 12-step teaching, relapse prevention skills, and other therapy modalities, I teach out how to create and use a toolbox of coping skills.

When we put down our addictions we are left with the insecure and vulnerable feelings we were trying to avoid. Though most associate addiction solely with substance, I challenge my clients to expand their concept to include multiple dimensions and spectrums. Phones, relationships, and avoidance are also addictive and vary in intensity. I offer a compassionate space to unpack those experiences and the emotions that have been pushed aside by process and substance addictions.

Dealing with any addiction can be made easier with support. Whether you are looking to cut down or completely stop drinking or smoking marijuana, or whether you struggle with a substance or behavioral addiction, I am here to support you. Perhaps you have dealt with trauma or challenging life circumstances - either way, your addiction will make sense and we can work together to deal with the cause, making stopping or reducing much easier!

With experience working in corrections, I have a breadth of knowledge to assist clients in understanding cycles of addictions. We will work together to uncover the root of problematic behaviors, to facilitate lasting change.

You want to be free and have a life without drugs or alcohol. You want to wake up and not have that be the first thing you think about. You are tired of numbing your pain and memories, but are terrified of what may happen without it. Sometimes addiction is rooted with a traumatic experience, or a lifetime of traumatic experiences. Other times it may be due to something else; but either way it's getting in the way of your goals and dreams. Addiction-Focused EMDR can help!

I have previous experience working with individuals that report difficulties with addiction. I work towards gaining insight into the thoughts and behaviors that lead to use and implement strategies to reduce harm and promote regulation without substances.

You don't ever have to drink or use again. If you're ready to heal, you can do it, and I can help. If you're NOT ready to heal, I get it, and I'll still be on your side. My own experiences with addiction and recovery have equipped me with more tools to help others than my master's degree ever could. I'm ready when you are.

I have been a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC1) since 2010 but have worked in the mental health field since 1996. Along the way I've gained a lot of experience working with folks with substance abuse issues. I also happen to be in recovery myself, so I have built-in empathy.